SEARSMONT – Anna Stearns passed away Nov. 25, 2008. She was born July 28, 1917, in Worcester, Mass., the daughter of Peter and Hilda Hill, who were born in Finland and immigrated to the U.S. In 1918 they moved to Rockland. At age 4, Anna began school in Rockport, where she completed her elementary and high school education in 1934, and in the fall of 1936 she attended Ballard School of Business. Upon graduation from Ballard, she worked as an assistant at Sadie Marcus, a Stonington furniture store in Rockland. In 1939 she began working for Mount Ida School for girls. Later that year she moved to Hartford, Conn., taking a position for A.B. Dick Co., where she was in charge of a group of salesmen. During World War II, Anna volunteered as a nurse’s aide and also worked as an air raid warden patrolling the streets. In 1944 she transferred to the Boston office, where she joined First Baptist Church, Newton Center, Mass. There she taught Sunday school and was active in the young peoples club. In 1952 she left Boston, moving to Searsmont, where she found work at First National Bank, Belfast. There she met Lester Raymond Stearns, who she later married Nov. 6, 1954. In fall 1954, they purchased a dairy farm in Unity. In 1965 they built the first freestall-milking barn in Waldo County. They sold the farm in spring 1979, and retired to Tenants Harbor. Anna took a part-time job at East Wind Inn while Lester bought a lobster boat. They enjoyed boating, island picnics, outings on their wood lot in Searsmont and visits with their grandchildren in Massachusetts. Upon Lester’s death in 1999, Anna adjusted to single life, and in 2002 built a new home in Searsmont. She participated in the historical society and Muffin Club, a women’s organization that meet monthly to discuss current affairs. She was predeceased by siblings, Aune Hill of Bangor, Irja Wilson of Hanover N.H., and Viljo Hill of Searsmont. Surviving family include a sister, Joyce Withee and her husband, Norman; a daughter, Patricia and husband, Duane Schmidt and their children, Devin, Darren and Alina of Buckland, Mass.; and a son, Peter Hill Stearns and wife, Susan Crosby and their daughter, Victoria of Hermon. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at United Methodist Church, Searsmont. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Searsmont Fire and Rescue Department or the American Cancer Society.
ANNA ‘LILIE’ H. STEARNS
